Toy blocks.



m.- 709,467. Patented Sept. 23, I902;

E. A. CANNON. 'ToY BLOCKS.

' (Application flld. A 7, 1902. (No Model.) I 5 Sheets-Sheet I.

N N N0 709,467.

E. A. CANNON. TOY BLOCKS. Application filed'Apr. 7, 1902.) my lllodl.) 5Sheets-Sheet 2. 1 059 N 62 v I v a Patented Sept. 23 1902f rum-709,4157. Patented-Sept. 23, I902. E. A. CANNON.

TOY BLOCKS.

(Application filed A r; 7, 1902:

' .5 Sheets-Sheet 3 (\NO Model.) v

. m% M 21%! 29W 5...... p.

UNITED STATES] ATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. CANNON, OF CASCO, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO CANNON TOY COMPANY,OF CASCO, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

TOY BLOCKS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 709,467, datedSeptember- A pplication filed April 7, 1902. Serial No. 101,641. (Nomodel.)

as to make almost any number of different articles or designs, taxingnot only the ingenuity of young people, but of the older ones as well,and thereby affording a continuous round of pleasure to the old andyoung, the different articles being put together without the necessityof employing a permanent fastening means-such as glue, nails, or rivetsand when so put together may be used as freely as if glued, but yet maybe easily taken.

apart in order to construct other devices.

With the above primary object in view the invention consists of'thedifferent blocks, their peculiar construction and combination or theirequivalents, as hereinafter more fully set forth. 3o In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a farm-wagon constructed frommy improved blocks with a hay-rack adjusted thereto. Fig. 2 is a planview of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3"isadetail of one of the side blocks forming one of the sides of the boxof the wagon shown in the preceding figures. Fig. 4. is a detail of oneof the end blocks of the hay-rack. Fig. 5 is an end view'ot' Fig. 4..Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the braceof. Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is aninverted plan view of a rake constructed from my improved blocks. Fig.17 is an end view thereof. Fig.

18 is a side elevation of the rake. Fig.19 is a side elevation of afarm-wagon constructed from my improved blocks. Fig. 20 is a plan viewof the rear seat of said Wagon. Fig. 21 is a front view thereof. Fig. 22is a plan view of the front seat of the wagon shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 23is a front view thereof. Fig. 24 is a side elevation of a farm-sleighconstructed from my improved blocks. Fig. 25 is a detail view of therunner-block. Fig. 26 is a detail view of the block forming the frontportion of the runner. Fig. 27 is a detail view of the block fori'ningthe runner-standard. Fig. 28 is an end view of Fig. 27. Fig. 29 is aview of one ot' the blocks forming the runner-brace. Fig.

30 is a side elevation of a hand-sled constructed from my improvedblocks. Fig. 31 is an inverted plan view thereof. Fig. 32 is a rear endview. Fig. 33 is a side elevation of a wheel -seeder constructed from myim proved blocks. Fig. 3t is a plan view there of. Fig. 35 is a rear endview thereof. Fig. 3b is a side elevation of a wheel-rake constructedfrom my improved blocks. Fig. 37

is a plan view thereof. Fig. 38 is an end elevation of Fig. 37. Fig. 39is a side elevation of a plow constructed from myimproved blocks. Fig.4-0 is an inverted plan view thereof, and Fig. 4.1 is an end elevationof Fig.

On Sheet 1 of the drawings is illustrated a farm-wagon with a rackthereon formed from some of my improved blocks, and Figs. 4 to 9,inclusive, illustrate certain of the blocks in detail which go to makeup portions of this wagon. The rectangular frame of the wagon iscomposed of two longitudinal side 0 blocks and two end blocks. Thelongitudinal side blocks are indicated by the numerals 42 42, and eachis provided on its inner side and longitudinally thereof with a groove43, on its upper side with a longitudinal groove 5 44, and on its underside with a longitudinal groove 45. The inner grooves 43 receive theends of a series of flat blocks 46, which form the bottom of the wagon.The upper grooves 44 receive flat blocks 47, which form the sides of thebody of the wagon, and the under grooves 45 receive the upper edges ofbeargluing any of the parts or of' using nails, rivets, canny securingmeans other than the t fitting of the several blocks together in themanner described. It will be seen that by the particular constructionadopted neither end of the axle can be disengaged from the opening ofthe bearing-block 47, inasmuch as in the case of lengthwise movement ofthe axle-block the Wheel-block will contact with the inner side of thelongitudinal side block 42 before the extremity of the axle-block canbecome disengaged from said bearingblock.

The end blocks are indicated by the numerals 52 52', and each of theseblocksis provided on its inner side with a longitudinal groove 53, whichreceives the outer edge of the end bottom block 46. They are alsoprovided on their upper edges with longitudinal grooves 54, whichreceive the front and rear end-boardblocks 55 and 56, respectively, ofthe wagon. ther provided on its outer side with a longitudinal groove57, which is adapted to receive therein the inner end of a tongue-block58, brace-blocks 59 59 also fitting in said groove and bearing againstopposite-side edges of the tongue-block. The rear end block 52 is alsoprovided on its under side with a longitudinal groove 60, which whilenot performing any useful function in the construction of thisfarm-wagon may be found useful in building other combinations with theblocks. It will be seen from Fig. 3 that the under edges of the sidebody-blocks 47 at opposite ends are cut away to form the notches 61 61,which adapt said side bodyblocks to fit over the end blocks 52 52.

The hay-rack which is adapted to be disposed in the wagon-body iscomposed of end pieces connected by a series of longitudinal slats. Eachend piece is made up oftwo blocks 62 62. The inner ends of these'blocksare out on a bevel, as most clearlyshown in Fig. 4, and said beveledends are fitted together so that the ends of the hay-rack are in theform of obtuse angles. Each of these blocks is provided on its upperside with a longitudinal groove 63, and these grooves receiveconnecting-blocks 64, (shown indetail in Fig. 6,) said connecting-blocksserving to unite the blocks 62 in their obtuse-angular form, the underedges of said connecting-blocks 64 being beveled at opposite ends, asclearly shown in Fig. 6, in order to adapt them to fit said grooves 63.Theinner sides ot'the blocks The front end block 52 is furmost clearlyfrom Fig. 3 that when the hayrack is adjusted to the wagon the angle ofsaid rack will rest on the center of the bottom of the wagon-body, andmedial points of the end blocks 62 will rest on the top edges of theside body-blocks 47. The longitudinal slat-blocks 66 preferably connectonly the. portions of the end blocks 62 which project outwardly from theside body-blocks 47. A wagon thus constructed will simulate quiteclosely in appearance an ordinary farmwagon with a hay-rack thereon.

In Figs. 10 and 11 I show a pitchfork constructed from my improvedblocks. Referring to these figures, the numeral 68 indicates a shortblock provided on opposite longitudinal edges with grooves 69 and 70,respectively. In the grooves 69 are fitted a series of fingerblocks 71,which represent the prongs of the fork, and fitted in the grooves 70 isan elongated block 72, which represents the handle of the fork. ,Theshort block 68 may also he provided on its under side with a groove 73,which while serving no useful function in the construction of thepitchfork may be found useful in other combinations in which my' blocksare employed.

Figs. 12 and i3 illustrate a hoe formed from my improved blocks. Thishoe is shown under groove is fitted a fiat block 77, representing theblade of the hoe, and in the groove '76 is fitted an elongated block 78,representing the handle of the hoe.

In Figs. 14 and 15 I show some of my improved blocks fitted together torepresent a shovel. I employ for this construction a shortblock 79,provided upon opposite lateral sides with grooves and 81, respectively.In the groove 80 is fitted a fiat block 82, representing the blade ofthe shovel, and in the groove 81 is fitted an elongated block 83,representing the handle of the shovel. The short block 79 may also beprovided at opposite ends with end grooves 84 and upon its under sidewit-h a groove 85. These grooves 84 and 85, however, perform no usefulfunction in the construction of the shovel, but may be found useful inother combinations of the blocks.

In Figs. 16 to 18 I show a rake constructed from my improved blocks,and, referring to these figures, the numeral 86 indicatesa block whichrepresents the head of the rake. This head-block is provided on oppositesides with longitudinal grooves 87 and 8S and on its under side with alongitudinal groove 89. In

too

edges of the handle-block are the brace-blocks- 59, The groove 88, whilenot performing any useful function in the construction of this rake, maybe found useful in other combinations of the blocks.

In Fig. 19 is illustrated a form of farmwagon constructed frommyimproved blocks, and Figs. 20 to 23, inclusive, are details of saidwagon. This form of farm-wagon is similar to the form shown in Figs. 1,2, and 3, excepting that the hay-rack is omitted, and in lieu thereoffront and rear seats are provided. It will therefore be unnecessary todescribe in detail the construction of the Fig. 19 form of wagon, andthe parts thereof will be indicated by numerals corresponding to thenumerals applied to similar parts in the Figs. 1 to 3 form ofconstruction. The front seat (shown in Fig. 19 and in detail in Figs. 22and 23) consists of two base-blocks 91 91. Each base-block is providedupon its under side with a groove 92, which fits the upper edge of theside-board block 47 of the wagon and is also provided on its inner sidewith a groove 93. These grooves 93 of the two opposite blocks 91 receivethe ends of the seatbloek 94. In the top of each base-block 91 is agroove 95, which receives the lower edge of ablock 96, forming the sidearm of the seat, the front edge of said block beingpreferably beveled.Back of the base-blocks 91 are upright blocks 97, which are provided ontheir lower ends with grooves 98, fitting the upper edges of the sideblocks 47 of the wagon-box.

Each-of these upright blocks is also provided on its front side with agroove 99 and on its inner side with a groove 1.00. In the grooves 99fit the rear edges of the arm-blocks 96, and in the grooves 100 fit theopposite ends of elongated blocks 101, forming the back of the seat. Therear seat is composed of the end blocks 102 102, and each of theseblocks is provided on its under side with a groove 103, which fits theupper edge of the side wagonbox block 47'. Each block 102 is alsoprovided on its innerside with a groove 104, and

these grooves receive the opposite ends of the block 105, forming thebottom of the rear seat.

InFig. 24 is illustrated a farm-sleigh eonstrncted from my improvedblocks, and Figs. 25 to 29, inclusive, illustrate certain detailsthereof. The upper body portion of this sleigh is constructed in exactlythe same manner and by the employment of the same blocks as the upper orbody portion of the wagons illustrated in Figs. 1 and 19, and hence thesame numerals of reference are employed to indicate the said blocks. Thebloeksforming the runner-standards are indicated by the numerals 106106.. The lower ends of each of these standard-blocks is provided with agroove 107, which receives the upper edge of the runner-block 108. Therear runner-standard block is secured to the longitudinal side block bymeans of triangular brace-blocks 109, the straight perpendicular edgesof said blocks fitting in side grooves 110 in the standard-blocks 106and the upper edges of said bearing-blocks fitting in the grooves 45 inthe under sides of the side longitudinal blocks 42. The inner side ofeach standard-block is also provided with a longitudinal groove 111, andthese grooves receive the opposite ends of the connecting brace-blocks64. The front standard 106 has fitted thereto only one of thebrace-blocks 109, the front side groove 110 thereof having fittedthereto the rounded block 112, forming the front of the runner.

The upper edges of these blocks 112 fitin the under grooves 45 of thelongitudinal side blocks 42. Each of these blocks 112 is provided withan opening 113, and these openings are adapted to receive thereducedends of the axle-block 49, said axle-block forming the front barof the sleigh.

Figs. 30, 31, and 32 indicate a hand-sled which is constructed similarto the sleigh illustrated in Fig. 24, excepting that the upper blocks47, 55, and 56, forming the box of a sleigh, are omitted and the bottomof the sled is formed by a solid bottom block 114, the opposite sideedges of which being fitted in the inn ergrooves 43 of the longitudinalside blocks 42; The several parts of this sled are therefore indicatedby the same referencenumerals employed for indicating the same parts inFig. 24. 1

Figs. 33, 34, and 35 illustrate a wheel-seeder constructed from theimproved blocks. This seeder consists of the side blocks 115.115. Eachof these blocks is provided with a bottom groove 116-, an upper groove117, and an inner side groove 118. To the bottom grooves 110 are fittedthe bearing-blocks 47, and these bearingblocks are connected by theaxleblock 49, on which are mounted the wheelblocks 51 51. The box of theseeder is formed by four uprights 119 and the side and end blocks 120and 121, respectively. The opposite ends of the side blocks 120 fit ingrooves 122 in the corner-blocks, and theopposite ends of the end blocks121 fit in grooves 123 therefor in said corner-blocks. The handle of theseeder is composed of the side armblocks 124 124, the outer edges of theinner ends thereof being fit-ted in the grooves 118 118 of the sideblocks 115. The outer ends of these blocks 124 are connected by abandle-bar block 125, the opposite ends ofsaid handle-bar block beinggrooved to receive the edges of said blocks 124.. The bottom of theseeder is composed of a flat bottom block 126, the opposite end edges ofwhich fit in. the grooves 118 of the side blocks 115.

In Figs. 36, 37, and 38 is illustrated a wheelrake constructed from myimproved blocks. This rake is made up of the side bar-blocks 115, thebottom block 126, the bearing-blocks 47, theaXle-bloelr 49, thewheel-blocks 51, the

structed from my improved blocks.

side handle-blocks 124, the handle-bar block 125, the end block 52',employed in the farm wagon illustrated in Fig. l and which is held inplace by the rear edge of the bottom block 126 fitting in the innergroove 53 of said block, and in addition to the blocks just enumeratedotherblocks, which will now be described. Fitted to the under groove ofthe end block 52 are a series of elongated blocks 127, forming therake-teeth. Projecting upwardly from the end block 52 are two uprightblocks 128 128. Each of these blocks is provided on its rear face with agroove 129, on its inner face with a groove 130, and on its front facewith a groove 131. The latter groove while not performing any usefulfunction in the wheel-rake may yet be found useful in other combinationsof the blocks. The upright blocks are connected to the rear end block52by means of a transverse connecting-block 132, the lower edge of whichfits in the upper groove 54 of the rear end block 52;

and the opposite ends of which fit in the innergrooves 130 of theupright blocks 128.

Seated on the upper ends of the upright combination of the blocks mayyet be found useful in other combinations or constructions thereof. Theupright blocks 128, blocks 133, and block 137 form the seat of thewheel-rake.

Figs. 39, 40, and 41 illustrate a plow con- Referring to these figures,the numeral 139 indicates a block representing the plow-beam.

This block is provided on opposite sides with longitudinal grooves 140140, and in the rear ends of these grooves are fitted the ends ofplow-handleblocks 141 141. The plow-beam block is also provided on itsunder side with a longitudinal groove 142. Projecting forwardly from theunder side of the plow-beam block and at a forward inclination is aplowshare-block 143. This block is provided on its forward side with alongitudinal groove 144, and in this groove is fitted a small elongatedblock 145, the upper end of said block fitting in the under groove 142of the plowbeam block 139. Also fitting in the under groove 142 of theplow-beam block is a triangular block 146, the forward edge of saidblock bearing against the plow-beam block 143, and thereby assisting inholding said plowshareblock in place. The triangular block also servesto represent a plow cutter or colter. The plowshare-block is provided inits side with a longitudinal groove 147, and

in this groove is fitted one of the blocks 112, said block representingthe moldboard of the plow.

While in the accompanying drawingslhave illustrated certain devicesconstructed from my improved blocks, yet it will be understood that saidblocks are capable of eifecting a variety of other differentcombinationsor constructions. v

What I claim as myinvention is- 1. The combination of longitudinalsideconnecting-blocks having longitudinal grooves in their upper sides, endconnecting-blocks having longitudinal grooves upon their upper sides,side box-blocks fitting the grooves of the longitudinal side blocks, endbox-blocks fitting the grooves of the end connectingblocks, and a bottomblock connected to the longitudinal connecting-blocks.

2. The combination of longitudinal side connecting-blocks havinglongitudinal grooves upon their upper and under sides, endconnecting-blocks having longitudinal grooves upon their upper sides,side box-blocks fitting the upper grooves of the longitudinal sideblocks, end box-blocks fitting the grooves of the end blocks,bearing-blocks fitted in the longitudinal grooves on the under sides ofthe side connecting-blocks, said bearing-blocks provided with openingstherethrough, axlelolocks fitting in the openings of the bearingblocks,and wheel-blocks mounted on the axle-blocks.

3. In toy blocks, the combination of a frame having the longitudinalside blocks, bearingblocks fitted thereto and extending downwardlytherefrom, said bearing-blocks provided with openings therethrough, anaxleblock provided with reduced extremities fitting the openings, saidreduced extremities openings of the bearing-blocks.

4. In toy blocks, a sled 0r sleigh consisting of side connecting blockshaving grooves upon their under sides, standard-blocks extendingdownwardly from the under sides of the side connecting-blocks, saidstandardblocks provided with side grooves, and also having grooves intheir lower ends, runnerblocks fitting the grooves at the lower ends ofthe standard-blocks, brace-blocks fitting the ,side grooves of the rearstandard-blocks and the under grooves of the side connectingblocks,similar brace-blocks fitting the rear side grooves of the forwardstandard-blocks and the under grooves of the side connecting blocks,blocks fitting the forward side grooves of the forward standard-blocksand the under grooves of the side connecting-blocks, and

duced ends fitting the openings of the blocks forming the forwardportions of the runners.

5. In toy blocks, a sleigh or sled consisting of side connectingblockshaving grooves upon their under sides, standard-blocks extendingdownwardly from the under sides of the side connecting-blocks, saidstandardblocks provided with grooves upon their forward, rear, and innersides and at their lower ends, runner-blocks fitting the grooves at thelower ends of the standard blocks, braceblocks fitting the forward andrear side grooves of the standard-blocks, and a connecting block havingits opposite ends fitting the grooves on the inner sides of thestandardblocks.

6. The combination of side connectingblocks provided with grooves upontheir upper and under sides, bearing-blocks fitting in thetunder groovesof the side connectingblocks, said bearingblocks provided with openings,an axle-block having its opposite ends fitting in said openings,wheel-blocks mounted on the axle-block, upright blocks extendingupwardly from the side connecting blocks, said upright blocks providedwith grooves upon two of their sides, end blocks each having itsperpendicular edges fitting in two of the opposed grooves of two of theupright blocks, and its lower edge fitting in the upper groove of thesideconnecting-block, and side blocks, each having its opposed end edgesfittinginto the grooves of two of the upright blocks.

'7. The combination of side connecting blocks provided wit-h groovesupon their upper, under, and inner sides, bearing-blocks fitting in theunder grooves of the side connecting-blocks, said bearing-blocksprovided with openings, an axle-block having its ends fitting in saidopenings, Wheel-blocks moun ted on the axle-block, upright blocksextending upwardly from the side connectin g-blocks, said upright blocksprovided with grooves upon two of their sides, end blocks each havingits perpent'licnlar edge fitting in two of the opposed grooves of two ofthe upright blocks, and its lower edge fitting in the upper groove ofthe side connecting-block, side blocks each having its opposed underedges fitting two of the grooves of two of the upright blocks, and ahandle composed of side arurblocks and end handle-bar block, said sidearm-blocks having their inner ends fitbottom block having its edgesfitting in the inner side grooves of the side connectingblocks and theinner sidegroove of the headbloe k,bearing-blocks fitting the undergrooves of the side connecting-blocks, said bearingblocks provided withopenings, an axleblock fitting the openings of the bearingblocks, andwheel-blocks mounted on the axleblock.

9. In toy blocks, a wheel-rake, consisting of a head-block havinggrooves on its under, inner, and upper sides, rake-teeth bloc-ksfittingin the undergroove, and extending downwardly therefrom, sideconnecting-blocks having grooves upon their under and inner sides, abottom block havingits edges fitting in the inner side grooves of theside connecting-blocks and the inner side groove of the head-block,bearing-blocks fitting the under grooves of the side connecting-blocks,said bearing-blocks provided with openings, an axle-block fitting theopenings of the bearing-blocks, wheel-blocks mounted on the axleblock,and a seat extending upwardly from the head-block, said seat consistingof two upright blocks having grooves upon their inner and forward sides,a connecting-block having its opposite ends fitting the inner grooves ofthe upright blocks, horizontal blocks seated on top of the uprightblocks, said horizontal blocks provided with grooves on their under andinner sides, brace-blocks fitting the forward grooves of the uprightblocks and the under grooves of thehorizontal blocks, and a seat-bottomblock having its opposite ends fitting the inner side grooves of thehorizontal blocks.

10. In toy blocks, a hay-rack consisting of the end pieces and thelongitudinalslats, each end piece, consisting of two blocks having theirinner ends beveled and fitted together, in order to give anobtuse-angular form to each end piece, and said end piece blocksprovided with grooves upon their upper sides, and grooves upon theirinner sides, connecting-blocks having their ends fitting the uppergrooves of the blocks of each end piece, and

thereby holding said blocks together, and

longitudinal slat-blocks having their opposite ends fitting the endgrooves of the blocks of the end pieces.

11. In toy blocks, a plow consisting of a plow-beam block having agroove on its un der side, a plowshare-block having its opposite endsbeveled, one beveled end thereof fitting against the under side of theplowbeam block, whereby the plowshare-blook eX- tends downwardly fromthe plow-beam block at a forward incline, and said plo wshare-blockprovided with a groove in its forward side, and a connecting-blockfitting in the groove of the ploWshare-block and also in the groove onthe under side of the plow-beam block.

12. In toy blocks, a plow consisting of a plow-beam block having agroove 011 its under side, a plowshare-block extending downwardly and ata forward incline from the uniCO ' plow-beam block having a groove onits under side, a plowshare-block extending down- Wardly and at aforward incline fromthe under side of the plow-beam block, saidplowshare-block provided with a groove in its forward side, aconnecting-block fitting in the groove of the plowshare-block and alsoin the groove on the under side of the plow-beam block, and a cutter oreolter block fitting in the groove on the under side of the plowbeamblock and bearing against the plowshare-block.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD A. CANNON.

Witnesses:

A. L. MORSELL, ANNA V. FAUST.

